Step forming unit



July 27, 1965 E. M. HAGER STEP FORMING UNIT Filed 001;. 19, 1961 F/G. i

I NVEN TOR. f1 Mze M #4052 MW United States Patent 3,196,997 STEPFORMING UNIT Elmer M. Hagar, 5024 Berwyn Road, College Park, Md. FiledOct. 19, 1961, Ser. No. 146,173 1 Claim. '(Cl. 189-43) This inventionrelates to a step forming unit, and has particular applicability to apre-formed metal structure adapted to form the ends of a set of steps,the units being provided with inturned flanges having bolt holes thereinto permit the ready attachment of steps and risers thereto with absoluteaccuracy.

A primary object of the invention is the provision of a device of thischaracter which simplifies and expedites the formation of a flight ofstairs as all step units forming the flight are of the same shape anddimension.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of aprefabricated unit which may be used in multiples to provide a flight ofsteps of any desired length.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of thischaracter which may be made of a convenient size to accommodate bleacherseats or other tiered objects.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a unit of thischaracter which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable andefficient in operation, and simple and inexpensive to manufacture,install and utilize.

Still other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangementsof parts, and features of construction, all as will be more fullypointed out hereinafter and described in the accompanying specificationand shown in the drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a flight of steps constructed with aplurality of units in accordance with the instant invention, the risersand threads being omitted.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of an individual unit.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view partially broken away of a flight ofsteps constructed with the units of the instant invention.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional View taken substantially along theline 4-4 of FIG. 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a modified form ofconstruction adapted for use in assembling bleacher seats or the like.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawing.

Having reference now to the drawing in detail, the instant invention iscomprised of identical units each having a quadrilateral plate which hasa perimetric inturned flange extending entirely thereabout, the flangeincluding an upper horizontal portion 11, a vertical portion 12, a lowerhorizontal portion 13, and an angularly inclined portion 14. Thearrangement is such that a plurality of identical units, each generallyindicated at 15, are assembled as shown in FIG. 1 with their verticaltop flanges 11 extending inwardly in opposed relation to form theopposite sides of the steps, and with their vertical flanges 12extending downwardly. The lower flange 13 of each unit is secured to therear end of the top flange 11 of the next adjacent unit, there being aseries of bolt holes 16 extending along each of the flanges tofacilitate such assembly.

A step tread 17 is aflixed to the top portion of each unit extendingtransversely as best shown in FIG. 3 and a riser 18 is affixed betweenthe paired vertical flanges 12. By virtue of this arrangement a completeflight of steps may be assembled with a minimum of eflort anddifliculty, avoiding all necessity of preforming the usual wooden sidemembers of the steps, and the angular relation of the flanges 14 is suchas to form a smooth, unbroken line extending the full length of theflight of steps.

Where desired, a reinforcing angle iron base or support 18a ispositioned under the inclined flanges 14 and bolted thereto, for supportand reinforcement purposes.

In FIG. 5 there is disclosed a modified form of construction whichcomprises a unit of quadrilateral shape generally indicated at 15a andhaving an outer face plate 10a which has an upper or top horizontalflange 11a, a vertical flange 12a, a lower horizontal flange 13a, and anangularly inclined flange 14a. A series of bolt holes 16a are alsoprovided, and when a plurality of these units are assembled in themanner previously described, the angular alignment of the portions 14 issimilar to that of the previously described modification except that amaterially wider top surface is provided for the accommodation ofbleacher seats or the like.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided animproved unit for the formation of steps, bleacher seats or the like,which may be made of any desired size to accommodate step treads of anydesired width, and which accomplishes all the objects of this invention,and others, including many advantages of great practical utility andcommercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as manymodifications may be made in the embodiments hereinbefore shown anddescribed, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to beinterpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

A flight of steps comprising, in combination, an inclined support, apair of oppositely disposed stringers, each formed of a plurality ofidentical preformed quadrilateral units, each unit having a perimetricflange extending completely thereabout and forming a horizontal top, ahorizontal bottom, a vertical front and an inclined rear side, saidinclined rear sides being aligned to form a straight inclined bottom forsaid stringers, the flanges of the opposed stringers extending inwardlyrelative to the flight of steps, each flange having bolt holes thereinfor securing the component units in related assembly, certain of saidbolt holes in said horizontal top flange receiving bolts for securingsteps thereto and bolt holes in said inclined rear side receiving boltssecuring the stringers to said support.

Ret'erences Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,593,683 4/52Lyons 189-43 2,724,466 11/55 Phillips 189-43 3,099,336 7/63 Hawkins189-43 HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner.

JOEL REZNEK, Examiner.

